We love the look and performance...
We love the look and performance of our '09 Dodge Challenger R/T, but like most of our readers, we just can't leave any car stock for long. photo by Evan Smith
When it comes to vehicles we've owned, the new Challenger R/T has to be among the best in terms of all-around performance, comfort, and safety. And while the new Dodge Hemi-powered vehicles are no slouches at accelerating, braking, and handling, we have a hard time leaving anything stock, so we're taking advantage of some great aftermarket products to improve our car in each of these areas. This month, we'll be modifying our Dodge Challenger's suspension with new suspension components from Summit Racing Equipment to improve our car's looks and handling.
For a production car, Dodge really nailed the look of the new Challenger, while also building a well-rounded performance automobile. Like most production cars, however, the new Challenger is a compromise between performance and economy, handling and ride quality. Though the Challenger is built with an independent rear suspension, they handle very well for their size. But we felt the car would benefit in a couple of ways from a suspension upgrade.
We were eager to install our...
We were eager to install our parts to see and feel the difference, so we drove to Inline Performance in nearby Bushnell, Florida, to borrow one of their lifts. While you could accomplish this job in the driveway, having a lift really saves time.
First, we knew we could significantly improve the handling of our Challenger by adding stiffer springs and installing performance shocks and struts along with larger diameter sway bars. What we didn't want to do, however, was compromise ride quality when we are driving normally. Additionally, we wanted to lower our Challenger about an inch and a half, improving the car aesthetically, while also lowering the center of gravity to further improve handling. Checking Summit Racing's website, we researched what options were available for our Challenger and were pleasantly surprised to learn that even though the Challenger is a new model, Summit already offers an Eibach Pro-System-Plus kit for our car.
While improving handling and reducing body roll typically causes a stiffer ride, the Eibach suspension kit for the new Challenger barely compromises ride quality at all. They accomplish this by using dual-rate coil springs for a soft ride while cruising, with a stiffer rate once the car is put into a corner. These springs combined with Eibach's performance struts up front, and shocks out back, offer better handling, but we didn't notice any discernable change in ride comfort while cruising normally. Also included in the Eibach sport suspension kit are larger diameter sway bars which greatly reduce the big Challenger's tendency toward body roll.
Ever thought the Challenger...
Ever thought the Challenger R/T would look cooler and handle better if it were a little lower? Fortunately, Summit Racing now carries Eibach's new Pro-System-Plus suspension kit for a lower stance and better handling.
Though technically this project involves bolt-on components, it does require dropping the entire rear suspension to change the rear sway bar so a certain level of mechanical skill is required. The only real specialty tool you'll need is a coil-spring compressor to change the springs. Since the B-3 project was occupying our lift, we enlisted Inline Performance to help us with the suspension upgrade at their new facility. In reality, this project could be accomplished on the driveway with a jack and jackstands, but we really appreciated having the lift to make the job easier. With the assistance of Garret at Inline Performance, we spent about half a day installing our new components and checking wheel alignment. If you're doing this without a lift, however, you should probably give yourself a full day or weekend to accomplish the work.
The Eibach suspension system...
The Eibach suspension system comes with new shocks and struts, new dual-rate springs, thicker sway bars, and all the hardware to complete the installation. Summit got our parts to us quickly, and we were impressed with the quality and fit of the new components.
In the back, the sway bar...
In the back, the sway bar runs above the rear subframe and suspension, requiring the exhaust to be removed from the hangers and dropped so that the rear subframe and suspension can be dropped for access. With the car on a lift, we used a jack to support the centersection of the rear end.
One of the keys to the Eibach...
One of the keys to the Eibach suspension is the set of new front and rear coil springs that come with the kit. These springs not only drop the car about an inch and a half for a more aggressive stance and lower center of gravity, they also provide a more aggressive spring rate for better handling.
After removing the four bolts...
After removing the four bolts holding the rear frame and suspension to the car, we used the lift to raise the car off of the suspension several inches, giving us access to the rear sway bar. Though dropping the entire rear suspension just to change the sway bar seems extreme, it's really not as difficult as it seems and only took us a few minutes to accomplish.
The Eibach rear sway bar is...
The Eibach rear sway bar is obviously a larger diameter than the factory unit, but otherwise bolts right into place.
The Eibach rear shocks look...
The Eibach rear shocks look very similar to the factory units, bolting right in place of the stock shocks. Internally these shocks are set up to offer a good ride while cruising, but offer greatly improved performance while driving aggressively.
After lowering the car from the lift, we immediately liked the stance of the car and the way the tires filled the wheel openings in the fenders. Unfortunately, Florida rain showers kept us from performing before and after skid-pad testing, but we have driven the car both normally and aggressively since installing our Eibach Performance Suspension System, and so far we're thoroughly impressed. The car looks much better and is regularly complimented thanks to the approximate 1 1/2-inch lower stance. Additionally, we've noticed that the car handles amazingly as we take the corners on roads we normally drive. There is really no hint of under or over steer, and the car is well-balanced, staying flat with all four tires planted when cornering at speeds high enough to get our adrenalin pumping.
As well as the new Challenger is engineered, the aftermarket seems to keep manufacturing parts that just make it better. We must admit that it's a blast to modify our modern Mopar for improved performance and handling, and appreciate Chrysler for finally building a V-8, rear wheel drive, two-door coupe for us to enjoy. We also appreciate manufacturers like Eibach and Summit Racing for engineering and providing components to help us enjoy our Challenger even more.
We disconnected and removed...
We disconnected and removed the factory installed front sway bar to make room for the new, stiffer Eibach bar.
With the car lifted off of...
With the car lifted off of the rear suspension, we also changed the rear coil springs to the new Eibach springs supplied with our Pro-System-Plus kit.
With our rear suspension modifications...
With our rear suspension modifications complete, we torqued all of our bolts and moved to the front of the car.
Both upper ball joints need...
Both upper ball joints need to be disconnected so the factory struts can be removed and replaced with the new Eibach performance units.
Using a coil spring compressor,...
Using a coil spring compressor, the factory front struts are disassembled so the hardware can be used on the new Eibach struts.
With our upgrades complete,...
With our upgrades complete, we bolted the wheels back on and dropped the car onto the alignment pads to check front-end alignment. With the new components, alignment stayed perfect so we were ready for a test drive.
With the new Eibach struts...
With the new Eibach struts assembled, they can be bolted back in place and the upper ball joint can be reinstalled.
Notice that as well as being...
Notice that as well as being shorter to lower our Challenger. What this picture doesn't show you is that the Eibach spring is a dual-rate coil spring as well, offering a comfortable spring rate for normal driving and a stiffer rate for aggressive cornering.
Although the new front sway...
Although the new front sway bar is noticeably larger in diameter than the factory unit, it bolts right into place using the factory provisions. The sway bar comes with new bushings and only takes a few minutes to install.
Pulling out of the shop, we...
Pulling out of the shop, we immediately liked the look of our Challenger with its new lower stance. Notice how the tires fill the fender openings now for a better stance and more intimidating, aggressive look. Though Florida rain showers have so far kept us from real track testing, we can tell you that our suspension upgrades greatly improved our car's aesthetics and handling without sacrificing ride quality at all. This is a gratifying weekend project that you'll see every time you look at your new Challenger and feel every time you drive your car through the corners.